Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak

Current Networth - $75 Million

Personal Stats

NamePat Sajak
RoleTelevision Personality, Game Show Host, Consultant
IndustryEntertainment
Net Worth$75 Million
Date of Birth and AgeOctober 26, 1946 (age 78)
Accolades3x Daytime Emmy Awards, Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Table of Contents

  • About Pat Sajak
  • Businesses Owned
  • Early Life
  • Family
  • What Is Pat Sajak’s Net Worth?
  • What is Pat Sajak's claim to fame?

About Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak is a beloved American television personality and host, best known for his iconic role on Wheel of Fortune, which he has hosted since 1981. His warm demeanor, quick wit, and charisma have made him a household name, making Wheel of Fortune one of the longest-running and most popular game shows in American history. Over four decades, Sajak has charmed audiences with his humor and easygoing style, creating a legacy in television entertainment. Beyond his on-screen work, he is known for his sharp intellect, political conservatism, and contributions to media outside of television, such as writing and radio. Sajak’s contributions to the entertainment industry have earned him a place as one of America’s most enduring and recognizable TV hosts.


Businesses Owned


Early Life

Pat Sajak’s journey from a modest Chicago upbringing to national fame began with a passion for broadcasting and hard work.

  • Born Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in a working-class family. 
  • Graduated from Farragut High School in 1964 and attended Columbia College Chicago while working as a desk clerk at the Palmer House hotel.
  • Discovered his love for broadcasting after winning a guest teen DJ contest on a local Chicago radio station.
  • Served as a disc jockey in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, hosting radio shows for the Armed Forces Radio, where he entertained troops and developed his on-air persona.
  • After his service, he worked as a DJ in Murray, Kentucky, and later became a weatherman for WSM-TV in Nashville, marking his entry into television.

Family

Sajak’s family has been a steady foundation throughout his career, supporting him through decades of television success.

  • His father, Leonard Anthony Sajdak, worked in a factory, and his mother, Joyce Helen, later remarried after his father’s early passing.
  • Married Lesly Brown, a photographer, on December 31, 1989; they have been together for over three decades, with a close and supportive relationship.
  • The couple has two children.
  • Patrick Michael James Sajak, born on September 22, 1990, who pursued a career in medicine and is now a practicing doctor.
  • Maggie Marie Sajak, born on January 5, 1995, is a country music singer and has appeared on Wheel of Fortune as a special guest.
  • Previously married to Sherrill Sajak from 1979 until their divorce in 1986.
  • The family resides primarily in Severna Park, Maryland, with a second home in Los Angeles, California. Known for his pride in his children’s accomplishments, Sajak shares a close bond with his family.

Pat Sajak earned big fat checks from Wheel of Fortune. He was paid in tens of millions a year just four work days in a month. Sajak also chased in by licensing his image for casino slot machines and how can we forget about his Great American Deals venture? He failed to defeat his co-host Vanna White in terms of net worth. However, at least Patak Sajak and Alex Trebek tied when it came to money. 

Net Worth$75 Million
Salary~$15 Million
ProfessionTV Host, Consultant
NationalityAmerican
No. of Houses2+
No. of Cars1+
No. of Awards3+

What Is Pat Sajak’s Net Worth?

In 2024, Pat Sajak’s net worth will be around $75 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Long time game show host’s wheel of life has moved. He has taken retirement from Wheel of Fortune. However, during his hosting days, he was paid as much as $15 million per year. Pat was also included in Forbes’ 2016 world's highest-paid TV show hosts list which was topped by none other than our old polite racist man, Dr. Phil. That said, if our calculation is correct, Pat was making $52,083 for each episode. Now the funny thing is, that Vanna White who co-hosted the show with him, has a higher net worth. She is leading Sajak’s by $15 million.

Pat Sajak also earns around $10 to $15 million a year by lending his image for "Wheel of Fortune" slot machines in casinos. He has earned an undisclosed amount from the book “Pat Sajak's Puzzles and Games” as well.


What is Pat Sajak's claim to fame?

Pat Sajak has become a cultural icon. However, his initial claim to fame can be attributed to the following events.

  • Armed Forces: Sajak became a DJ for Armed Forces Radio during his time in Vietnam.
  • Early DJ days: After finishing his service as a veteran, Pat Djed for  WNBS in Murray, Kentucky before moving to WSM in Nashville.
  • Weatherman: Pat Sajak worked as a weatherman on NBC and K-NBC first as a part-time reporter and then got a job full-time.
  • The big break that never ended: Despite facing initial rejection from then-NBC President Fred Silverman, Pat Sajak did land the job as a host for Wheel of Fortune which he continued for decades to come.

What brands does Pat Sajak own or endorse?

Patak Sajak kept that wheel spinning but he didn’t let his rolled his hands for big endorsement contracts. Although he founded and co-owns the Great American Deals, a hyperlocal online shopping website. Moreover, he also founded P.A.T Productions and BoJak Records, a small production company, according to Britannica.


How does Pat Sajak spend his money?

Pat Sajak is not known for an extravagant lifestyle. However, that’s what we know about him in the public. Who knows in private, he is a big spender for luxury. For now, we are aware that he has a limited collection of cars and the former host of Wheel of Fortune likes to travel for leisure activities. One of his favorite destinations to visit is Hawaii. Furthermore, Sajak has invested in a few multi-million dollar properties.


How many houses Does Pat Sajak Own?

Pat Sajak has made a few purchases in real estate which are as follows.

  • Maryland properties: In 1991, Sajak was already quite famous and meant a heavy amount from the show. He decided to buy a $1.275 million property in a gated community in Severna Park, Baltimore, Maryland. Property records show that he sold the house later for $0 for an unknown reason. Besides this, Sajak once also owned a former radio station which he ultimately sold to a group of local broadcasters.
  • Los Angeles properties: In 1998, Pat Sajak put down $5.5 million for an LA house. Reportedly, it was listed for $2.25 million but didn’t get sold. Furthermore, he already has an Encino pad worth $1.8 million which Sajak bought in 1988, according to Cosmopolitan.

How many cars does Pat Sajak own?

Pat Sajak’s garage is more private than you think. Despite having a net worth of tens of millions, Sajak has not been spotted driving super expensive cars. He has been photographed with a black Jaguar F-Type convertible multiple times but that’s about it. We are sure there are some other cars he likes to take for a spin! In the future, we will be updating Pat Sajak’s car collection as soon as he shows up in a new timeless mechanical machine. That said, Pat’s F-Type appears to be the 2015 model which had a base price of $99,000. 


What are Pat Sajak’s charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavors?

Most of the charitable gestures by Pat Sajak have not been publicized. However, there are a few which have made some headlines. 

  • April Fool’s Day: In 1997, Alex Trebek of Jeopardy traded places with Sajak and White who became content on their own show. Both original hosts donated the winning amount to the American Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts of America.
  • For the cancer: In 2001, Pat Sajak and his wife Lesley Sajak (previously Lesly Brown) donated $1 million to the new breast cancer center of Anne Arundel Medical Center in Maryland.

Meanwhile, Sajaks also founded The Lesly & Pat Sajak Foundation in 1995. The non-profit charity organization has reportedly given away around $65,000 in grants just in 2022.


What’s next for Pat Sajak? 

Patak Sajak has taken retirement from Wheel of Fortune. He now focuses on travel, charity, and other leisure activities. He will also be appearing in "Prescription: Murder”, a play at the Hawaii Theatre Center in 2025.


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